I love dewdrops on spiderwebs! And I marvel at the industriousness of those little creatures who craft their complicated and temporary structures for survival. I’m working on appreciating the web when I get one in the face! Great post, Carrie!
The writing today was so beautiful and so thought provoking. Tears came into my eyes because the story of 36 humble righteous people is a much, much needed reminder right now to look, to be aware of goodness in others every day. The mediation made me think it could be included in a wedding...- In...“May the love in me…” Out-” connect with the love in you.” I could see having an argument with someone and saying "Let's try this to move past our disagreements." I thank you so much for these words...it is now part of my daily devotion/mediation. I am sharing this whole message right now with people I know and love so they can enjoy it too. Big hugs to you.
I love the web analogy and the 36 good hearts keeping our world turning. I checked your events - the closest is 9.5 hour drive. I hope you will come to Canada sometime. The Ottawa area specifically!
You are a beautiful, kind and brilliant node in this world!! I often share lines from your poems, essays and songs, either to brighten my day or others days that cross my path. I'm so grateful to have met you and felt you beautiful nodeness(new word)!! LOL
Almost every day, sometimes twice a day, Nancy and I climb into our utility cart and go for a ride on the trails around and through our woods and prairie. We used to go for walks, but since Nancy's stroke four years ago that's just not possible anymore. Yet, she enjoys and wants to experience the trees, the tall grasses, the wildflowers, the glimpses of wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, beaver, groundhogs, coyotes, and more.
At least once on every ride, we run, usually face first (our cart is pretty simple -- no windshield) into a spider web. These head on collisions with spiderwebs have left me pondering though the persistence of these creatures. I can imagine, sort of, making a web that goes across a four-foot-wide windy path in the woods, but bridging one that is twelve to fifteen feet wide? How do they do that?
Ambitious little arachnids! God's creatures doing what they were created to do. In the face of politics, division, war, pandemic. Oh wait, could that stuff only matter to us people who do too often that which is other than what we were created to do?
Now I'm still no big fan of spiders. But I'm happy for the lesson they are teaching me -- to be true to my nature as one of God's beloved creatures.
The identity of at least one of the holy 36 is clear, I suppose, to all readers of "Gathering of Spirits".
Thank you for this inspiring rumination, and for the links.
***
I've just finished reading "An Immense World" by Ed Yong; a book about animals' senses. A reader's conclusion cannot be other than more humility, and more respect for all life.
These words today are so encouraging. I am part of a small coalition here in West Virginia that attempts to steer our Legislature away from harmful legislation. The Legislative session ended last night after a long 60 days. Thankfully, some of that harmful legislation did not pass though the possibility was there until midnight last night. These 60 days have been a time of encouragement and utter discouragement. I am moved to tears to think about the hidden goodness around us and the threads that connect us. The world feels a little brighter today.
So good and so true. I love the hidden beauty of this world. It is so much easier to see in nature and feels like it takes so much more work to see in other people. But the hard work is worth it.
I love the idea of the 36. I’m fairly sure I’ve met a few of them, and they came in all shapes and sizes, a front-desk clerk at the Denver Marriott Southeast, a fellow special needs mom in Philly, a Ukrainian housekeeper in her 30’s. I believe we are blessed by others in so many ways, though often we’re unaware.
Oh my goodness! I love all of this. And we watched the Last Airbender with our 20 something daughters. Once we got over the parts that are clearly for middle school boys in the early episodes, we absolutely loved it. I was so sad when we watched the last episode. I could have happily watched 10 more seasons.
I’m going on my knees for you
Thank you Carrie. This one brought tears.
I like this very much. It reminds me of the song "One of Us" and the lyrics "...What if God was one of us."
I love dewdrops on spiderwebs! And I marvel at the industriousness of those little creatures who craft their complicated and temporary structures for survival. I’m working on appreciating the web when I get one in the face! Great post, Carrie!
The writing today was so beautiful and so thought provoking. Tears came into my eyes because the story of 36 humble righteous people is a much, much needed reminder right now to look, to be aware of goodness in others every day. The mediation made me think it could be included in a wedding...- In...“May the love in me…” Out-” connect with the love in you.” I could see having an argument with someone and saying "Let's try this to move past our disagreements." I thank you so much for these words...it is now part of my daily devotion/mediation. I am sharing this whole message right now with people I know and love so they can enjoy it too. Big hugs to you.
I love the web analogy and the 36 good hearts keeping our world turning. I checked your events - the closest is 9.5 hour drive. I hope you will come to Canada sometime. The Ottawa area specifically!
Patti Koeslag
You are a beautiful, kind and brilliant node in this world!! I often share lines from your poems, essays and songs, either to brighten my day or others days that cross my path. I'm so grateful to have met you and felt you beautiful nodeness(new word)!! LOL
Some thoughts on getting into spiderwebs...
Almost every day, sometimes twice a day, Nancy and I climb into our utility cart and go for a ride on the trails around and through our woods and prairie. We used to go for walks, but since Nancy's stroke four years ago that's just not possible anymore. Yet, she enjoys and wants to experience the trees, the tall grasses, the wildflowers, the glimpses of wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, beaver, groundhogs, coyotes, and more.
At least once on every ride, we run, usually face first (our cart is pretty simple -- no windshield) into a spider web. These head on collisions with spiderwebs have left me pondering though the persistence of these creatures. I can imagine, sort of, making a web that goes across a four-foot-wide windy path in the woods, but bridging one that is twelve to fifteen feet wide? How do they do that?
Ambitious little arachnids! God's creatures doing what they were created to do. In the face of politics, division, war, pandemic. Oh wait, could that stuff only matter to us people who do too often that which is other than what we were created to do?
Now I'm still no big fan of spiders. But I'm happy for the lesson they are teaching me -- to be true to my nature as one of God's beloved creatures.
To do the work I'm called to do.
To trust in the Divine.
The identity of at least one of the holy 36 is clear, I suppose, to all readers of "Gathering of Spirits".
Thank you for this inspiring rumination, and for the links.
***
I've just finished reading "An Immense World" by Ed Yong; a book about animals' senses. A reader's conclusion cannot be other than more humility, and more respect for all life.
These words today are so encouraging. I am part of a small coalition here in West Virginia that attempts to steer our Legislature away from harmful legislation. The Legislative session ended last night after a long 60 days. Thankfully, some of that harmful legislation did not pass though the possibility was there until midnight last night. These 60 days have been a time of encouragement and utter discouragement. I am moved to tears to think about the hidden goodness around us and the threads that connect us. The world feels a little brighter today.
Be a Node.
Thanks!
So good and so true. I love the hidden beauty of this world. It is so much easier to see in nature and feels like it takes so much more work to see in other people. But the hard work is worth it.
Just after reading this, I saw this comic…
https://substack.com/@incidentalcomics/note/c-51350152?r=b8sra&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I love the idea of the 36. I’m fairly sure I’ve met a few of them, and they came in all shapes and sizes, a front-desk clerk at the Denver Marriott Southeast, a fellow special needs mom in Philly, a Ukrainian housekeeper in her 30’s. I believe we are blessed by others in so many ways, though often we’re unaware.
Oh my goodness! I love all of this. And we watched the Last Airbender with our 20 something daughters. Once we got over the parts that are clearly for middle school boys in the early episodes, we absolutely loved it. I was so sad when we watched the last episode. I could have happily watched 10 more seasons.
Love the spider web photo and analogy. I am trying to start a new book club in our neighborhood. Yes, I felt the meditation.